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Post by kshapero on Jun 1, 2009 8:57:28 GMT -5
This is one fine camera. The FM3A is a time traveler: a real metal bodied manual focus SLR from the 1970's made in the 21st Century. It amounts to a hybrid of the classic FM2n and FE-2 with a NEW electronic/mechanical shutter. The FM3A promises to be a landmark Nikon design, combining the mechanical shutter of the FM2n with the aperture AE of the sorely missed FE-2. That's right, a FM2 / FE-2 body with AE AND mechanical back up at all speeds. No other Nikon has ever had AE with manual speed backup at all speeds. The FM3A also takes interchangeable focusing screens and the MD-11 and MD12 motors. Selling new for about twice the price of a used FE-2, it offers mechanical shutter speeds if the batteries die AND easily available repair parts -- important features that the beloved FE-2 does not. The exposure lock is on the back plate of the camera, where it can easily be worked with or without the detachable motors. This is a great classic camera you can get right off the shelf, BUY it. Get it in chrome, as the chrome finish looks better than the black anodized finish, and will likely be worth more in the long run. Alas, it does have one unexpected problem. Nikon dealers are telling me sales are very SLOOWWWW. This is more a result of the uninformed buyers than the camera design. Buy it before Nikon discontinues it due to poor sales and prices go UP -- like the badly designed Nikonos RS. While you are at it, buy the new GN lens introduced with the FM3A.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2009 9:37:16 GMT -5
I think the sales are slow because few people want to pay new price for a film camera. The FM3 is a nice sized camera which is sort of a cross between the FM2 and the FE2. I have a almost mint FM that I keep around because it's a lot better camera that people a willing to pay. I agree that the chrome models are the ones to have. But if you pay new price for an FM3 is is unlikely you would ever get even half your money back. Film SLRs--even the high end models--just don't fetch much as collectibles and I don't see that changing for at least 50 years, if then.
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Post by nikonbob on Jun 1, 2009 15:10:56 GMT -5
They are very nice cameras indeed but I think Wayne has a point about the prices of these. They are still trying to sell a film camera priced as if digital did not exist. Times have changed and I am not an uninformed buyer but would not pay the current price. Too bad as it was the pinnacle of the FM/FE series designs.
Bob
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Jun 1, 2009 22:08:29 GMT -5
Don't get me wrong. I own a Nikon F, F2, F3, FM, Nikkormat FT2, and a host of other brands of manual SLRS. as well as a Nikon F4, F5, F100. It is terribly hard to justify spending the amount to get an FM3A when you can get an F5 used but in excellent condition or an F100 for about half the price which I have seen for the FM3A. I use my manual SLRs often and like them very much, but I just cannot see the value. Dave
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2009 12:18:52 GMT -5
Dave:
Good point.
Wayne
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Post by nikkortorokkor on Jun 12, 2009 7:52:20 GMT -5
I'll chime in with some more of the same. I too have been amazed by the low prices of 2nd hand high end film SLR bodies. Back in the late nineties I was pretty chuffed to get a brassy old F3 with a 50/1.4 for about a thousand Aussie bucks. I wanted a travel camera to pack on my bicycle for a trip through SE Asia and I just couldn't afford an AF body and lenses tough enough for what I planned to do (in those days, I'd have been looking at an F90 or above). Now, wit a bit of patience, I could pick up an F90/100/4 or even an F5 for similar or less than I paid for the F3. But here's the rub. What were Pro bodies built for above all else? Reliability. The archetypal war correspondent who had to have a reliable camera to get the story out was the poster boy (or girl) for those cameras. In many ways, the design philosophy of the FM3A is based on that image. But what is the reality of the 21st century? The guy with the cell phone who takes the image and txts it to his boss in 30 seconds. The modern PJ must be equally as concerned with rugged, reliable and fast data storage and transfer as she is about reliable picture capturing. Film no longer fits that bill. Film is left to impoverished hobbyists like me who still can't afford the cutting edge digital progear to replace my manual film kit. So, the beautiful FM3A must be an attempt to sell nostalgia or find a market of iconoclasts, much as Cosina has managed with the Voigtlanders. BUT, unlike the CVs, Nikon is playing in a market crowded with 2nd hand cameras. Those wishing to try interchangeable lens rangefinders have much less choice. Even when you're selling to a niche market, you've got to find the right niche!
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Andrew
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Post by Andrew on Jun 13, 2009 1:47:56 GMT -5
if i didnt already have my OM1's and some lenses or i didnt have a manual SLR then i think this camera for the right price must still be a worthwhile consideration...the prices seem to vary enormously for them though, on ebay (and some other places) they are up and over $1000 US but a little looking around and you can get them brand new in a box (from dealers/shops) for around half that...
just for the comparison, say, you buy a decent OM1 on ebay for say US$100 or so (a very nice one may be lots more) and then send it off to camtech (which most people seem to do) to get serviced it will cost upwards of the $109 starting price (and it will cost more because he always finds something to charge more for), also more if you want it done quicker, plus postage both ways and he charges hefty handling fees so you have to take that into account..so unless you are in cheap postal range of him you could easily be paying up around or well over the $350 mark, and its still an old camera, possibly showing its wear and age . for about $200 more (less money if the initial purchase or repair costs more) you can have a brand new well featured manual camera (1/4000, 1/250 flash sync, plus a heap more newer useful features), that will still work without batteries, and with a proper/real warrantee.....i dont get what the problem is?
its an added bonus if you happen to invested or plan to in the nikon dslr range of cameras, apparently the lenses fit afaik
sometimes a manual film camera is the right choice, or only choice, or best choice! ..or just a choice..leaving the digital at home
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2009 18:04:14 GMT -5
Saw a same as new black Nikon FM2 on our local Craig's List for $150!!. I was going to let the people on the forum know but before I could post the FM2 was gone.
Wayne
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Post by drako on Jun 17, 2009 16:04:59 GMT -5
Very good points, Andrew.
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Mark Vaughan
Lifetime Member
I STILL have a pile of Nikons. Considering starting a collection of Ricoh SLRs and RFs.
Posts: 191
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Post by Mark Vaughan on Aug 29, 2009 21:53:37 GMT -5
Keep combing Craigslist: some shmo (read: kid who inherited it and needs cash, or wife cleaning out a closet) will eventually let an FM3A go for $150 with that fancy chrome 45mm pancake lens! That really is a fine camera and "the Force" tells me that mine is coming soon.
Meanwhile there's a very nice FM posted in the Dallas area today with an old zoom (38-76mm, I think - or something like that) for $125 now. Tempting, since my FE hopeful was D.O.A. and is now a cool looking paper weight / practice-taking-me-apart toy.
Have a great weekend all.
Mark
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Post by nikonbob on Aug 30, 2009 7:28:13 GMT -5
Andrew
You made some very good points about there being minimal difference between a NIB FM3a for about $500.00 and buying used and having to repair. There is also the lack of warranty on the used model as you mentioned. The counter point to that is that if you can live without the AE feature of the FM3a there are plenty of used FM2/FM2ns out there for considerably less than an FM3a. I have bought two used FM2ns and neither of them have ever needed any repairs. I just don't see the premium being currently charge for the FM3a as worth it from a users standpoint. OTH if like Mark I find one for $150 that might be another story.
Bob
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carl19
Contributing Member
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Post by carl19 on Jun 2, 2012 11:17:56 GMT -5
My apologies for resurrecting an old thread, but as I just recently joined I was quickly going through the first few pages.
I have two FM3a bodies I acquired fairly recently to go with several FM2n bodies which I've picked up over several years, and I love the fact they are aperture priority and manual with a fully mechanical shutter in the event of battery failure. I'm probably a bit old fashioned in this respect as I adore mechanical cameras, and I'd certainly agree with the comments already mentioned with regards to pricing.
Here in the UK, there is a specialist Nikon shop in London called Grays Of Westminster, and you only have to look at their used price lists to see what prices the FM3a sell for when in 'mint' condition. They are extremely expensive to say the least. I recall the chrome body used to sell for around £500 when they were available to buy new a few years back, but now they often sell for more.
For those looking for a simple mechanical camera, I'd heartily recommend either the FM or the FM2n which are considerably cheaper, and ultra reliable. Definitely consider the FM3a too - if the price is right.
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Post by grenouille on Jun 2, 2012 19:37:30 GMT -5
With the present market bursting with FMs, FEs, FAs, F3s, etc., I will definitely shy away from the FM3a. Perhaps it may one day be a sought after classic but you probably will not get what you paid for, for a long time.
Buying it for investment is wrong mathematics (my own opinion) but buying it for the pleasure of using it as a 35mm camera with its state of art construction, well is something else.
In its time, the FA was the state of art camera, now you can pick up one for around 60 - 80€, but definitely not at Grey's
Hye
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carl19
Contributing Member
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Post by carl19 on Jun 3, 2012 6:23:55 GMT -5
Buying it for investment is wrong mathematics (my own opinion) but buying it for the pleasure of using it as a 35mm camera with its state of art construction, well is something else. Yes I'd agree with you there. I would never personally buy a camera purely as an investment. It would always get used as all my cameras are (some more than others I have to say). In the case of the FM3, I doubt very much it will ever reach the status of the classic Nikon F or the F2, but as a working camera, they are a delight to use. However, I'd be very reluctant to pay the sort of prices some retailers seem to be asking for them.
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